MA in Translation and Interpreting

The Hunter College Master of Arts in Translation and Interpreting (MATI) provides a rigorous preparation in the language professions, delivered as a two-pronged knowledge-skill curriculum -- a theoretical grounding in translation and interpreting studies and hands on language-specific training in translation, localization, and oral interpretation skills between Chinese and English.

Additional M.A. languages include:
M.A. in Translation and Interpreting - Russian
M.A. in Translation and Interpreting - Spanish

For further information contact:

Julie Tay
Program Director of the Hunter College M.A. in Translation and Interpreting
Room 1425A, West Building
68th Street Campus
Phone: 212-722-5601
Email:  jt3361@hunter.cuny.edu

The MATI is a 30-credit two-year curriculum for full time students and may be completed within five years on a part time basis. In translation studies students will explore the key domains of legal, medical, and business translation, as well as a range of new media contents (films, podcasts, websites, blog posts, etc.); in interpretation, students will receive practical training in consecutive, conference and community oral interpreting and sight translation, simulating an array of social service, educational, and healthcare settings; coursework will include foundational studies in machine translation technologies, software localization, and terminology management systems. Internship and study away opportunities will be an integral part of the program.

Applicants matriculating with an undergraduate major in Chinese or Chinese Translation and Interpretation may have their language testing requirement waived based on their academic record and the recommendation of a language faculty; they may also first register for classes in this program as a non-degree student while awaiting the admissions process.

Applicants are required to work in English paired with Chinese and must declare either language as A (the dominant) and B (the less). Upon application, an interview will be conducted with a faculty member for the purpose of language proficiency verification by a faculty member.

• Language A normally means you have had 10 years or more of early education (PK-12 grade) in the language as the medium of instruction; OR, that you can demonstrate proficiency at Level 3+ or higher on ILR scale, corresponding to "Superior" on the ACTFL scale, or the equivalent*.
• Language B should be a language that you have actively used and/or studied continuously for 6 years or more including a minimum of 2 years at tertiary level; OR, that you can demonstrate proficiency at Level 2+ or higher on the ILR scale, corresponding to "Advanced High" on the ACTFL scale, or the equivalent.*
• Applicants who have been raised and educated bilingually may not easily distinguish between Language A and B. In such a case, you may declare either language as 'A' or 'B' provisionally and clarify during your interview.

* The recommended online testing agency is the ACTFL LTI.

In most cases, self-identification and verification by a faculty member at interview will suffice.

Submit the following documents:

1. All undergraduate transcripts.
2. A Personal Statement in English (declare Language A & B here).
3. Two letters of recommendation (those with industry experience should submit one academic and one professional).
4. For students who completed their bachelor’s degree in a language other than English, submit your TOEFL IBT or CBT score. (The School of Arts and Science requires a minimum 80/213 for graduate studies.)